[Part 1]
Chapter 17: Imprisonment
-Emerald City, Dungeons-
*~ Oscar ~*
It sounds as though someone is hurriedly coming towards them, but then there's another set of footsteps and someone shouts.
Oz wants to walk over to the bars and take a look, but it could be a ploy to have them do exactly that so he sits still and keeps listening.
It sounds like there's a struggle for a moment and then the footsteps fade away again. He looks at Glinda and she looks back, a slow nod shaking free from her stiff pose. Oz swallows and carefully gets up, not wanting to make any noise. He waits, then takes a step and stops to listen. He makes it the rest of the way in the same manner until he finally reaches the bars. He glances out, but it's too dark to see very far.
Then the shadows move.
Oz feels frozen in place. He watches as the shadows take form and the shape approaches, getting ever closer. There's nothing distinct about it, no sound or definitive shape, but then a green light begins to softly burn where Oz would assume a person's collar to be. The ember gives way to a glow and beneath it an emerald stone.
"Look for the emerald." Echoes through his mind.
-Emerald City, Throne Room-
*~ Theodora ~*
"Riot in the dungeon!"
"What?" She turns sharply from the crystal to stare at the guard panting a few feet away from her. She closes that distance in an instant, floating closer to grip his neck. "What did you say?" She repeats in a firmer tone.
"Some of the rebels were released," he chokes. "They're running wild. The captain's caught the one who did it, but we're having a hard time getting them under control."
"It's a ploy, you idiot! Who's guarding the witch?" She's seething with rage. Tonight, someone is going to pay in blood.
"The instigator was heading that way when the captain caught him," the guard is beginning to sound hoarse. "Reinforcements are on their way." He's breathless so Theodora lets go, knowing she won't get any more out of him if he's dead.
She frowns. "How many tunnels connect to the dungeon?"
The guard is holding his throat, face pale. "At least four were indicated on the blueprints."
She had retrieved the blueprints from the archives in the hopes of finding her sister, but upon realising there are tunnels leading to and from the dungeon Theodora came to understand the true importance they will have for her plans.
"I want guards stationed at each entrance and exit. There will be no escape."
"Understood, my lady."
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
Sensing a magical presence different from Theodora, Glinda rises from the corner to join the Wizard at the entrance of their cell. She doesn't see anything at first until a glowing emerald illuminates a cloaked figure swiftly making their way towards them in the darkness. There is something familiar about the magical signature that Glinda can't quite place.
Then she notices the glow originating from an emerald necklace.
She motions the Wizard away, immediately on her guard. He looks at her confused, but does as she instructs, watching the person approach.
"There isn't much time," they say, pulling out a familiar skeleton-key.
"Evanora." Glinda glares, tone as cold as the halls around them.
The cloaked figure sighs and lifts the hood an inch higher, indeed revealing Evanora's face. "This is not the place to argue, Princess."
Glinda flinches, not having heard that title pass Evanora's lips since before her banishment. "What do you want? What game are you playing?"
"A dangerous one." Evanora says simply as she unlocks the cell door and moves to put away her key.
Though the Wizard hesitantly exits, Glinda does not move a muscle. Evanora notices.
"Why must you be so stubborn?" She reaches forward and pulls Glinda forcefully out of the cell by her wrist, making her stumble. To her surprise, Evanora steadies her by the arm and then immediately releases her. The Witch of the East turns away. "Theodora has ordered the tunnels guarded and more soldiers are on their way. We must be quick and silent for this to succeed."
"Where are we going?" The Wizard questions, glancing once at Glinda before following the Wicked Witch. Glinda begrudgingly trails after.
Evanora motions for them to stop, sliding in front of Glinda in one quick glide.
Footsteps approach, loud and militant-like then a guard emerges from behind a wall and passes right in front of them with a torch, but just as the light is about to expose them a sudden gust of wind snuffs out the flame. The guard curses and calls out for his unit, but there's no response. With a grumble he turns back, boots thudding against the stone.
It's nearly a minute later that Evanora moves again, wordlessly instructing them to follow.
-Emerald City-
*~ Theodora ~*
There is some kind of interference, preventing her from using the scrying crystal to look into the dungeons. It's a concerning notion, as it implies a magic user is undermining her. The Wizard perhaps? Though he has shown little talent for magic use, some of which she now knows better as slight of hand, she cannot ignore the possibility that it is a different variety from what most would expect.
King Pastoria was a Wish Granter, before the Cardinal Coven identified him as such it was assumed that he had no talent. It is likely that – if the Wizard is indeed who he has convinced others he is – that his magic use is absentminded or instinctive.
It may have been better to keep a closer eye on him.
"Show me my sister." Theodora whispers to the crystal, but receives much the same result. She pauses then, considering. "It can't be…" She frowns, brows furrowing as fire slowly sets itself alight in her veins. "Show me the City Herald." The mist in the crystal ball swirls, but before an image can solidify the mists fall away, the same as it did with Evanora.
"Show me the Witch of the North!" Again the mists fall away. Theodora scowls, dropping her hands from the crystal and screaming in rage. "Who is blocking my sight?"
Nearby servants cower and the guards flinch minutely. She ignores them. Marching out of the throne room, Theodora decides it's time she investigates the matter regarding the dungeons herself.
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
She pauses by a fork and instructs Glinda and the Wizard to lean back against the wall, out of sight. She watches and waits, testing her magic beneath her cloak. It stings whenever she attempts something, but if she pushes through she is at least capable of some feats. It's harder with another's element, such as the prior manipulation of air had been, but using her own will expose her all the faster to Theodora.
She was originally surprised to find the dungeons cast into shadow and has been uneased by it since entering, but making use of it has also proved advantageous. Her only concern is its origin and the cold that stubbornly refuses to leave her.
It is disconcerting.
"What are you planning?"
She barely refrains from jumping at the sound of Glinda's voice in her ear, though apparently fails to hide a flinch because Glinda's hard expression momentarily shows confusion. Evanora forces herself to calm down. Nerves are not a good companion for this kind of situation.
"There is a side-passage used by the servants to enter and exit the dungeons. If we can reach it without drawing attention, you'll be one step closer to freedom." She peeks around the corner, stretching her awareness as far as she can.
"Why are you helping us?" Oz's voice is quieter than Glinda's, though no less jarring in the silence she is attempting to fashion.
"I understand you have questions, but please be quiet." She hisses, then promptly tenses at the sound of footsteps. She swivels in the direction of the sound, measuring the probability of avoidance. Two, no, three sets from the right. If they can make it to the entrance of the left corridor and slip behind the guards, concealing themselves as they head for the alcove…
She gestures for them to move quickly and darts for the left hall, pinning herself against the wall just as quickly. The Wizard and Glinda follow suit, the later too close for comfort, but complaining will expose them.
There is a sudden commotion from where she heard the soldiers. She prepares to call on her magic, but pain shoots up her arm and she instinctively clasps a hand over her mouth to refrain from making any noise.
She feels Glinda's eyes on her, but can't think on it, too occupied by the sound of clanging armour.
"Over here!" An attempted muffling of a shout comes from in front of them and Evanora has to squint to make out a China Doll waving one of her hands, attention on the right hall. She's standing half-posed in the direction they came from, likely making her way to the cells. The Wizard's monkey comes flying out of the corridor and Evanora sighs, allowing her hand to fall and her magic to dissipate.
"You have terrible timing."
They startle and turn to her, wide-eyed.
"What are you two doing here?" The Wizard asks, sounding both relieved and angry. She supposes he must be at least somewhat concerned for his apparent companions.
"Oz!"
The monkey launches himself at the Wizard and the China Doll follows suit, jumping into his arms. "You're okay!"
"How did you get here?" Glinda wonders and curious as Evanora is, she only spares one ear to listen, keeping the other out for guards.
"Knuck send a message." She hears the monkey explain. "He said you were captured and being broken out tonight, so we should bring you this." She sees a sparkle and a gleam of something white which suddenly glows, causing her to jump.
The monkey and China Doll give her odd looks, but she ignores them in favour of the wand now in Glinda's hand. She instinctively reaches for her magic, wincing at the jolting pain running up her arms.
Precisely as expected, Glinda turns the wand on her, the tip aglow yet dim from her restraint. "I will ask only once and I will know if you lie." Glinda searches her face, for what Evanora cannot say, perhaps a sign to attack, but with her magic still resisting her Evanora isn't certain there is much she will be able to do if Glinda decides to curse her.
Apparently finding something in her expression, Glinda lowers her wand by an inch, still pointing at Evanora though no longer at her face. She feels unsure how she should interpret it as the wand now has a direct line toward her throat.
"After everything you've done to my people, why are you risking your sister's wrath to save us?"
There's a gasp and she notes the Wizard's monkey fluttering away from her, but Glinda's eyes are steely. Evanora debates not answering, but she knows what Glinda is capable of. At any other time Evanora would have been able to match her in battle, even defeat her, but as she is now she stands no chance. "Because you're the only hope Oz has."
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
She can't find a lie in the witch's words and she doesn't want to lower her wand, doesn't want to be fooled into trusting this woman again, but Glinda knows what she saw and so reluctantly, she pulls away her wand.
"This is all very confusing." The Wizard sighs, running a hand through his hair.
"Far more than you know." Though Evanora's smile is wry, her tone is amused if not hollow, like the Wizard has just made a very dark joke.
"You're the Wicked Witch?" The china girl's voice cracks, her gaze horrified and set upon Evanora.
Glinda expects her to deny it, instead Evanora turns around and examines the hallways. "One of many." She indicates that the way is clear and leads them to an alcove along the right corridor where she presses her hand against one of the stones to reveal a staircase.
They swiftly make their way up the steps, Glinda keeping a sharp eye on Evanora all the while. They emerge in the scullery behind a curtain of bedding and Glinda recalls playing in this very room as a child and asking about the stairs that seemed to lead to nowhere.
For some reason there are no servants about, but Glinda does not have time to put too much thought into it as she follows Evanora to their next destination, the Wizard behind her with the china girl and Finley.
-Emerald City-
*~ Oscar ~*
It feels like an eternity that they spend following Evanora around, but Oz doesn't complain because she's helping them and Glinda isn't flinging curses at her. At some point they take a passageway that leads them outside the palace and Oz stumbles when they are met by Knuck and a Winkie guardsman.
"Took you long enough!" Knuck complains, looking at Evanora. "Theodora's flying around in a rage down there."
"It won't be long before she links the escape to you, my lady." The guardsman acknowledges and it takes a moment for Oz to recognise him as part of the patrol Evanora had sent to bring him and Theodora to the Emerald City.
"Is the carriage prepared?" Evanora asks, walking with Knuck and the guard around the side of the palace, leaving the rest of them to follow.
"We did what we could under short notice."
Turning the corner Oz found an Emerald City horse-drawn box carriage standing there surrounded by a group of munchkins. They all light up upon seeing Glinda. "Princess!"
Glinda greets them each kindly, but Oz's attention is drawn to Evanora when she clears her throat. "I'm afraid you don't have time for reunions. This is your only chance to escape, you mustn't waste it."
Oz watches as Knuck gesticulates and tries not to be amused by his matching expressions. "I hate to agree, but the Wicked Witch is right. You need to get in and get out."
His words remind Oz of something. "Wait, if you're the Wicked Witch, why didn't you send me after Glinda? She was the only one standing in your way, wasn't she?"
Evanora meets his eyes then looks away, not saying a word.
"You really should leave while you have the chance." The Winkie guardsman expresses, holding out a hand to help Glinda into the carriage.
She looks unsure, so Oz climbs in first, Finley flying in after and China Girl making herself comfortable on his lap. Glinda finally climbs in after them, but she hesitates before closing the door.
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
"You will accompany them." She overhears Evanora whisper and halts in closing the door, looking at the witch who appears to be addressing Knuck and the captain.
"My lady-"
"I can't go, I'm the herald!"
"You must. After what we pulled tonight it will be evident to Theodora that you are not on her side. Emerald City is no longer safe for you."
"Neither is it for you," the captain insists.
She sees Evanora shake her head. "If there is any means to undo the curse placed upon my sister I must attempt it. I cannot leave."
"You don't even have access to your magic." Knuck disagrees, though he only sounds partially upset. Glinda is uncertain what to make of it.
"It will have to be enough. Go."
Knuck sighs and turns, the captain following only to hesitate and turn back to address Evanora once more. "One day, Oz will know of the courage of the Emerald Witch."
Glinda can't see Evanora's expression, but the woman retreats into the shadows too quickly for her to catch a glimpse anyway. She closes the door then and leans her head back against the cushioned wall behind her. She has so many questions, so much about tonight she doesn't understand, so much about that night five years ago that she still doesn't understand, but the one with all the answers is the one witch Glinda feels most conflicted about.
She feels the carriage pull away and is lost to her thoughts for the rest of their escape from the place she once called home.
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
The plan had gone much smoother than she had anticipated, but Evanora has learned to be cautious of celebrating too quickly. She slips back into the palace through the tunnels, but just as she exits the passageway she is met with her sister and a group of guards. Evanora tenses, realising too late that she has walked into a trap.
"To think my own sister would betray me." Theodora says, face blank save for the fire in her eyes. Her sister walks up to her and grabs her by the chin. Evanora doesn't have time to react. "I do all of this for you and yet you free the Wicked Witch?"
"Glinda was never the Wicked Witch."
Theodora takes a step back in surprise, realization slowly illuminating her features. "You're the wicked one."
Before she can think to utter a word of apology or explanation, Theodora begins clutching at her chest, screaming in pain. Evanora watches wide eyed as fire consumes her sister, tanned skin seeming to peel away to reveal a stark, deep green beneath. Some of her features change, elongating, sharpening and Evanora finds herself horrified at the cackle torn from the throat of the creature now standing before her.
And that concludes Chapter 17. Hope you enjoyed and that the story is still worth your time despite the time between updates.
Read and review! I love hearing from you.
Until next time.
– L.L.